CHARSADDA: Speakers at a ceremony here on Wednesday said that provincial government established fully operational child protection units in 21 districts for safety and wellbeing of children.

They were addressing inaugural ceremony of child protection unit in the district. The unit has been established by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Child Protection and Welfare Commission (KPCPWC) with the support of UNICEF.

The provincial minister for social welfare, special education and women empowerment, Syed Qasim Ali Shah, and the minister for labour, Fazal Shakoor Khan inaugurated the unit by cutting a ribbon.

Qaiser Khan, the deputy commissioner, in his opening remarks highlighted the role of child protection unit in ensuring safety and protection of children in the district. He extended support the unit in its ongoing efforts to protect children, both in his capacity as district administrator and chairman of district child protection committee.

Ijaz Mohammad Khan, the deputy chief protection officer of KPCPWC, said that provincial government established fully operational child protection units in 21 districts. He said that more units would be established in the rest of the districts.

He said that KPCPWC provided different type of services to 32,564 children at risk in the province so far.

Sohail Ahmad, child protection specialist from UNICEF, said that opening of child protection unit marked the beginning of a journey where they would work relentlessly to create a safe and nurturing environment for children.

Radoslaw Rzehak, chief of UNICEF Peshawar, said that UNICEF was keenly looking forward to continue its ongoing support to provincial government.

Syed Qasim Ali Shah commended the efforts of KPCPWC and pledged to extend child protection units to the rest of districts.

Several children attended the event and performed on stage. They were presented with medals as a token of encouragement and appreciation.

This initiative reaffirms the commitment of KPCPWC and ministry of social welfare to create a safer and more protective environment for all children in the province, paving the way for a brighter and more secure future.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2025